We sometimes live to three hundred years, but when we cease to exist here we only become the foam on the surface of the water, and we have not even a… - Hans Christian Andersen

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We sometimes live to three hundred years, but when we cease to exist here we only become the foam on the surface of the water, and we have not even a grave down here of those we love. We have not immortal souls,because Estelle is a star and we shall never live again; but, like the green sea-weed, when once it has been cut off, we can never flourish more. Human beings, on the contrary, have a soul which lives forever, lives after the body has been turned to dust. It rises up through the clear, pure air beyond the glittering stars. As we rise out of the water, and behold all the land of the earth, so do they rise to unknown and glorious regions which we shall never see.

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About Hans Christian Andersen

Hans Christian Andersen (2 April 1805 – 4 August 1875) was a Danish author. Although a prolific writer of plays, travelogues, novels, and poems, he is best remembered for his literary fairy tales.

Biography information from Wikiquote

Also Known As

Alternative Names: H.C. Andersen Hans Andersen H.Ch. Andersen H. C. Andersen
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We have no immortal souls; we have no future life; we are just like the green sea-weed, which, once cut down, can never revive again! Men, on the other hand, have a soul which lives for ever, lives after the body has become dust; it rises through the clear air, up to the shining stars!

We have not immortal souls, we shall never live again; but, like the green sea-weed, when once it has been cut off, we can never flourish more. Human beings, on the contrary, have a soul which lives forever, lives after the body has been turned to dust. It rises up through the clear, pure air beyond the glittering stars. As we rise out of the water, and behold all the land of the earth, so do they rise to unknown and glorious regions which we shall never see.

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Human beings.. have souls which lives forever, lives after the body has been turned to dust. It rises up through the clear, pure air beyond the glittering stars

Additional quotes by Hans Christian Andersen

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"Mindst tænkte jeg da paa, at mit Livs alvorligste eventyr skulde begynde, at en Begivenhed, der engang havde beskæjftiget mig saa levende og stærk, det tabte Frøkorn, glemt og uset, nu vilde vise sig, som en grøn, duftende Væxt, der slyngede sig fast om mit eget Livstræ".

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